(Photo provided by Calvin Ciganik)
First of all, how did you first start doing track?
I was part of the wrestling team for Mounds View in 8th grade and I'd always have to lift after their practices because my middle school would get out later than the high school. One time during a lift I met John Pollack (former HS track coach) in the weight room and recruited me out to pole vault. Trying the vault was by far the best decision in my life.
What are all your personal records?
I have vaulted 15' 6", one inch away from Mounds View's old record 15'7".
Do you do, or have you done, any other sports?
I wrestled for 9 years and decided to stop my sophomore year to focus on the vault. I also play football. I'm going on my 10th year of playing next fall.
Do you think being a wrestler for so long help you adjust to vaulting?
Yeah it defiantly has! My wrestling coach was a national champ for the University of Minnesota. He taught me the meaning of hard work. I don't think I'd be the same vaulter without my old coach
What is your favorite or most memorable competition you've ever been in?
Pony Relays last year. I'd say Hamline Elite or State, but I wasn't with my team then. I was the last event going on and my teammates and other schools were watching me. It was my first crack at 15 ft (before I got 15.6) and I flew way over the bar. The crowd went crazy and it was my new PR. For the icing on the cake, we won the meet and I got to hold the trophy for our victory lap. To me, experiencing success with your team behind your back is far more fulfilling than doing it by yourself.
(Photo provided by Calvin Ciganik)
Who are some of your favorite athletes to compete against?
Competing against the Moorhead vaulters (Kyle Johnson and Connor Salisbury) was always fun. Both were seniors and it was always close at elite meets.
What are your main goals for this upcoming season?
My main goal is to get 17 feet, qualify for nationals (at least 16'8"), and to be a leader for my team. We plan on winning True Team State this year.
Do you have any plans (or curiosities) to try events other than pole vault, like jumping events, hurdles, or sprinting?
I'm going to start high jumping this year. Our team is not very big so we need a lot of multi-event guys.
The current all-time State record is 16'1.25", which you are on the verge of breaking. What would it mean for you to break that record?
It'd mean the world to me! It shows what hard work and dedication can do for someone. It shows how great my coaches taught me all these years. Getting the record would be amazing.
You improved from vaulting 11 feet as a freshman to your current PR last year. To what can you attribute such a dramatic improvement?
This is back to hard work. I dedicated myself to the vault after my freshman year. I train the majority of the year (except when football is going on). The vault is just addicting. It's very hard to describe that feeling of perfection with it because there is always room for improvement. I think of it as a giant puzzle and you have to piece together each area of the vault to get one grand jump. That's the reason why I train so hard. I strive for perfection. I might not get there but at least I can tell myself I went down swinging.
Do you have any college plans yet?
I'm not completely decided on colleges but I have been talking to some division one schools about vaulting for them in the future.
(Photo provided by Calvin Ciganik)
Do you have any rituals, routines, or superstitions either on or off the track?
I always wear my ugly yellow uniform. I've worn the same uniform since 8th grade. I think it gives me good luck
When not vaulting to ungodly heights, or training to do so, what might we find you doing?
I have a good group of friends so we hang out when we have time. Finding time around training and work is the tricky part.
Tell me one bizarre fact about yourself.
The boy vaulters at Mounds View are very hostile towards each other. My vault team is split into two teams, Dream Team and Team Desire. I'm the captain of Team Desire. We have a relay once a season to see what team is the greatest. We lost last year but I promise you that there is no chance that we'll lose this year.
How is it decided whether one is on Team Desire or Dream Team?
It's decided during Freshman week! We watch the freshman practices to see how athletic they are. Kinda like the NFL Combine! Then the losing team from last year gets to pick first. Once a freshman is drafted, they're on that team for life.
